Some trucks out there have a ton of different trim levels and packages available, often tied to different engines or other features, so people end up feeling like they have to go with a certain option to get the truck they need. Fortunately, every 2025 Honda Ridgeline comes with the same great engine, and you get Intelligent Variable Torque Management (i-VTM4) all-wheel drive (AWD) on every trim, so you don’t have to worry about missing out on a great truck that handles beautifully if you like the standard features. This, of course, leads many of our customers to wonder what actually sets the four trim apart from each other. So let’s take a look at each one, and you’ll see how they establish their own identities without making you feel like you might be missing out on something.

2025 Honda Ridgeline Sport

The Sport trim is the starting point for the 2025 Honda Ridgeline, and it showcases the standard features of this impressive midsize truck. In terms of power, this model has the same engine as every other Ridgeline: a 3.5L V6 that delivers 280 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, which is paired with a nine-speed automatic transmission featuring Shift-by-Wire and paddle shifters on the steering wheel. As we said, every trim comes with an advanced AWD system that provides incredible traction and control over your truck while driving, which is not something you’ll find on many other trucks out there (you often have to pay more for such performance).

Exterior features on the Sport trim are quite impressive, including LED low-beam headlights with auto on/off functionality, LED brake lights, and LED fog lights for enhanced visibility in all sorts of conditions. The Ridgeline features a dual-action tailgate that can open to the side or downward, dual chrome exhaust finishers, and heavy-duty truck bed tie-down cleats to help you secure items; you also get a lockable in-bed trunk with a drain plug that makes it perfect for storing wet gear after a day outside or for use as a built-in cooler. An integrated Class III trailer hitch with a seven-pin connector comes standard, along with truck-bed lighting and a Smart Entry system with Walk Away Auto Lock functionality that makes the Ridgeline easy to use each day.

Looking inside the Ridgeline Sport, you get two rows of seating for up to five passengers to comfortably pile in the standard crew cab, plus tri-zone automatic climate control to keep everyone inside quite comfortable. Push button start, power door and tailgate locks, and illuminated steering wheel-mounted controls are all standard in the Sport for added convenience. You also get a seven-inch display as the driver, plus a nine-inch color touchscreen for the infotainment system, a standard seven-speaker sound system, and even a wireless charging pad included in the Ridgeline Sport. This all comes together to make for a terrific truck that is perfect as a daily driver to help you take care of everything you need.

2025 Honda Ridgeline RTL

If you’re interested in some enhanced comfort and convenience features inside your Honda Ridgeline, then the RTL trim is a great one to check out. This truck is all about upgrades, and it can transform your daily drive into something you look forward to every time you get behind the wheel. In terms of performance and engineering, everything stays the same, so you get the same impressive power, and every Ridgeline trim can handle up to 5,000 lbs of maximum towing capacity. One thing you’ll quickly notice is that the RTL features a one-touch power moonroof with a tilt feature, giving you a gorgeous view of the sky and opening the cab up nicely to some fresh air when you want it.

The RTL also has heated side mirrors, which helps keep them clear and free from fogging up, along with a power sliding rear window to further let you open up the cabin. Inside the Ridgeline RTL, you’ll find upgraded seating, including a 10-way power adjustable driver’s seat with power lumbar support and two-position memory, plus a four-way power front-passenger seat. The front seats are heated, and the interior upholstery includes leather trim for an added touch of style and sophistication. This trim also has a leather-wrapped steering wheel and automatic-dimming rearview mirror to enhance your time on the road.

2025 Honda Ridgeline TrailSport

If you tend to lead an adventurous, outdoor lifestyle, then the Honda Ridgeline TrailSport is a fantastic choice that can provide you with the perfect vehicle to take you wherever you like to go. This is a rugged model designed to get you to any campsite you like, along with doing some off-roading and otherwise enjoying the great outdoors as you see fit. You get terrific features on this trim that complement the i-VTM4 AWD system, ensuring fantastic traction and control in the roughest conditions. The drainable in-bed trunk is perfect for storing wet clothes after a day of fishing or for use as a cooler when you go camping, giving you more options to meet your needs.

One of the standout features of the TrailSport trim is its off-road tuned suspension, which is built to take you far beyond where the pavement ends. You also get 18-inch wheels wrapped in all-terrain tires for extra grip on dirt roads, overgrown paths, and anywhere else your journey takes you. This trim features power-folding side mirrors to help keep them from getting clipped by other vehicles when you’re parked, along with Honda Satellite-Linked Navigation to help get you where you need to go. The heated steering wheel in the TrailSport features unique Trail Orange stitching, and you get distinct Trail Orange ambient lighting inside.

2025 Honda Ridgeline Black Edition

Finally, we have the Black Edition, which represents the ultimate version of the 2025 Ridgeline and everything Honda has to offer. Once again, performance remains the same with this trim, so you know you are getting a terrific driving experience. You’ll find a number of unique details inside and out with the Black Edition, however, such as LED truck-bed lighting for enhanced visibility when you’re trying to find things in the bed at night. This trim also features a truck-bed power outlet that lets you connect devices and equipment to your pickup.

Inside the Black Edition, you’ll find great touches like red stitching on the leather-wrapped, heated steering wheel, plus front courtesy door lights to illuminate things as you get in and out of the truck. You get black leather-trimmed seats in the Black Edition, with heated and ventilated front seats and heated rear seats, giving you more control over everyone’s comfort, plus red ambient LED lighting. Finally, the Black Edition features an exclusive premium audio system with eight speakers, including a subwoofer, ensuring you have a fantastic experience every time you go for a drive.

See the Honda Ridgeline Difference for Yourself

As you can see, even though every 2025 Honda Ridgeline features the same underlying engineering and performance, there are still some important distinctions between the four trims. The standard Sport trim has such great features that it is all many drivers need, ensuring you have a fantastic daily driver that is fun and rewarding every day. The RTL provides a number of upgrades and is our favorite overall option for someone in need of a basic daily driver since it provides added comfort and convenience features that are well worth the price. If you like heading outdoors in your midsize truck, then the TrailSport is the one for you, while the Black Edition brings it all together with extra styling and great features inside and out. It’s clear that Honda knows how to make a truck with everything you need in it, and the four trims on offer make it easier to get exactly what you want.